On Saturday, July 9, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) held its signature culinary event, ‘The Taste of Belize.” For the first time, the event took place in “Shuga City,” Orange Walk Town. The all-day event was filled with competitions, as well as lots to eat and drink. Below is a breakdown of the competitions and the winners for each.
Amateur Cook Competition: Competitors were given one hour and a half (1.5) to prepare a main dish, after which the top three winners were chosen.
3rd Place: Ms. Lucelli Sam from Crave House of Flavors, San Ignacio; 2nd Place: Mr. Gurick Orosco from the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza, Belize City; Winner/Amateur Cook of the Year: Mr. Kevin Chi from the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, San Ignacio
Chef Kevin Chi of San Ignacio Resort Hotel celebrates win
Cake Decorating Competition: Competitors were given ninety (90) minutes to decorate their pre-baked cakes. Maria del Carmen Urbina Cupcake Decorating Competition:
Competitors were given forty (40) minutes to decorate their pre-baked cupcakes. – 2nd Place: Mr. Masahito Kumagae
Bartending Competition: Participants competed in three elimination rounds. In the first round, they were given ten (10) minutes to prepare their original recipe. The second round was the speed round. The competitors were given three (3) drink recipes to complete as quickly as possible. In the third/final round, the remaining competitors were given a mystery basket each, with 4 products. They were then given ten (10) minutes to create two original recipes and five (5) minutes to execute to create the two original drinks using three of the mystery ingredients. Master Chef Competition: Participants competed in three elimination rounds. In the first round, competitors were given fifteen (15) minutes to prepare an appetizer. In the second round, competitors were given forty five (45) minutes to prepare an entrée. In the third/final round, competitors were given thirty (30) minutes to prepare a dessert. 2nd Place: Ms. Maresha Reid from Pirate’s Treasure Restaurant and Bar, San Pedro Winner/Master Chef of the Year: Ms. Eva Longsworth, an independent culinary artist from Corozal district. Eva Longsworth, 1st Place Maresha Reid, 2nd Place Samuel Gonzalez, 3rd Place The BTB wishes to thank all participants for their stellar work. We would also like to thank all the sponsors and those who attended the event for making it such a success! We look forward to the next Taste of Belize! Gurick Orosco from the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza – 2nd Place Amateur Cook Ms. Lucelli Sam from Crave House of Flavors, San Ignacio – 3rd Place Amateur Cook Mayerah Polanco, 2nd Place Cake Decorating Competition Elisa Quetzal, 3rd Place Cake Decorating Competition
3rd Place: Ms. Elisa Quetzal;
2nd Place: Ms. Mayerah Polanco
3rd Place: Mr. Adrian Cowo, An independent bartender in Belize City;
2nd Place: Mr. Ricael Moran from Happy Lobster Restaurant & Bar, Caye Caulker; Winner/Bartender of the Year: Mr. Mark Jacobs from Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins.
3rd Place: Mr. Samuel Gonzalez from Rain Restaurant & Roof Top Terrace, San Pedro
